Enjoy Artpark’s Free Concerts? Here’s moe.!

(Lewiston, NY)  Artpark's "Wednesdays on the Gorge" free outdoor concert series continues to grow significantly in terms of band name recognition and versatility as it approaches season three, which kicks off in a huge way on July 9 with University at Buffalo-born jam band moe.  The first event - featuring moe. for two full sets (no opening act) - has the outside potential of surpassing last season's Wednesday night attendance all by itself.  In anticipation of a formidable crowd, Artpark will be presenting two giant, on-site video screens for concertgoers' viewing pleasure.

 

Presented by HSBC Bank and HSBC Mortgage Corporation, all "Wednesdays on the Gorge" events begin at 6:30pm and include hands-on art workshops for children.

 

In a remarkable career that's touched upon three decades and produced 17 albums, moe.'s quintet of Al Schnier and Chuck Gar vey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on Drums, continues to push the standard for performance art.

 

Critical acclaim and a solid national and international fan base has built a dedicated following that grows each year. Whether touring across the globe, headlining music festivals, or sharing the stage with such celebrated acts as the Allmans, The Who, or Robert Plant, among others, what keeps moe. at the forefront of the music scene is not only the energy and vitality of their music and songwriting, but the showmanship in which it is delivered.

 

From its humble, inconspicuous beginnings as a local bar band in Buffalo in the late 1980s, to headlining Radio City Music Hall on New Year's Eve the past two years, moe.'s journey has been one of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Their music is clever, melodic, refined; their performances are entertaining, mesmerizing and epic. There's a reason that Rolling Stone Magazine placed Chuck and Al among the top 20 new "guitar gods," why the pair were featured in Guitar World and Modern Guitar; why Loughlin and Amico have been featured in Drum! Magazine; why Schnier has been featured in Bass Player and State of Mind magazines - all in the last year - because they're that good!

 

Including moe., the 2008 "Wednesdays on the Gorge" schedule features eight consecutive weeks of national performers such as Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys and Lil Brian & the Travelers for a Cajun Festival (July 16); the Cherry Poppin' Daddies (July 23); the Sam Roberts Band (July 30); Walter Trout and Watermelon Slim (August 6); Kim Mitchell (August 13); Donna the Buffalo (August 20); and the season finale with Sass Jordan (August 27).

 

Like all of Artpark's free concert events, each evening includes a wide variety of free family-friendly hands-on art workshops, including drawing, face-painting, dress-up, self portraits and more.

 

"Wednesdays on the Gorge" is also supported by Certo Brothers Distributing Company, Modern Corporation, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. 

 

Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater opens to the public at 2pm on event nights, and can be accessed via the Upper Park's Portage Road entrance off of Center Street or through South 4^th Street nearest the Mainstage Theater.

 

Carry-ins (food and beverages) are prohibited at all of Artpark's free concert events while on-site parking is .

 

For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.

 

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement.

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